brewer



C. A. BREWER ELECTRIC STEAM GENERATOR 3 Sheebs-Sheet Filed Oct. 24, 1924 NVENTOR @who @55mm BY wfwf;

Aug. Z8, 1928.

Aug. 2s, 1928. 1,682,320

C. A. BREWER Y ELECTRI C STEAM GENERATOR ATTORNEYS Aug. 28, 1928.

C. A. BREWER ELECTRIC STEAM GENERATOR Filed oct. 24, 1924 s sheets-sheet 3 Patented Aug. 28, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. BREWER, OF NOROTON HEIGHTS, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO CANNON ENGINEERING CO., OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC STEAM GENERATOR.

Application led October 24, 1824. Serial No. 745,594.

This invention relates, generally, to a novel construction of electrically heated steam generator or boiler for serving low pressure steam to steam appliances of various kinds, such, for example, as steam pressing irons; andthe invention has reference, more particularly, to an electrically hearted steam generator having a novel feed water reservoir and regulator in combination there- 1o with. Y

The invention has for its principal object to provide a compact electrically heated steam generator or boiler having a separate feed water reservoir provided with a novel adjustable for predetermining the desired level in the boiler compartment.

The invention has for a further object to provide in combination with the separate boiler compartment and feed water compartment of the generator a means for'equalizing pressures in both compartments, so that the same level of water is maintained inboth compartments. V

The invention has for a still further object to provide a novel arrangement and construction of electric heating elements in combination with the boiler compartment of the generator, together with anemergency 30 electrical cut-out actuated in connection with the float operatedl water control means, whereby the heating element will automatically cease to function in the event of the failure of the water supply.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be clearly understood from the following de tailed description of the same. y

l/Vith the various objects of this invention i in view, the same consists, primarily, in the novel electric steam igenerator or boiler apparatusrhereinafter set forth; and 'the invention consists, furthermore, in the several novel arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of said parts, all of which will be hereinafter more fully described in the following specification, and then finally embodied in theclaims appended thereto. l

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a` plan or top .view` of the novel electric steam generator apparatus, made accordingto and embodying the prinJ float actuated water control means, which is 'casing or shell 12 and said base 10, by

ci ples of this invention; Figure 2 isa verti cal longitudinalsection, taken on line 2 2 in said Figure 1; Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section, taken on line 3 3 in said Figure 1; F igurev 4 ,is ya fragmentaryhorizontal section, taken on line 1 4 in said Figure 3; Figure is an enlarged detail view of the adjustable fulcrum'pin of the float actuated lever mechanism for controlling the water supply; Figure 6 is a. detail-transverse section, taken on line'G-G in Figure 3; Figure 7 is a fragmentary'sectional viewy of the boiler shell suspension means; FigureL 8 is a fragmentary horizontal sec-tion of the steam discharge valve ofthe generator, said section being taken on line 8-8 in Figure 2; and Figure 9 is an electric Wiring diaf grain, showing the circuit and controls for the electric heating elements of the generator.

Similar characters of referencel are employed inail of the hereinabove described views', toindicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to said drawings, the reference character 10 indicates a base' upon which the novel steam generator apparatus is mounted. vvSecured to said base 10, so as to extend vertically upward therefrom is a stud-bolt 11. The reference character 12 indicates an outer casing or shell for enclosing the boiler proper and its electric heating element. Said casing or shell 12 is preferably made o f sheet metal, and is provided in its bottom end with a central opening through which the upper free end of the studbolt 11 extends. If desired, a heat resistant shield, comprising a pair of metallic plates 13, intermediate which is inserted a sheet of asbestos 14, or like heat insulation materiahinay be interposed Abetween said engaging ,said shield upon said stud-bolt 11 between spacing collars 15. shell 12 is stopped against the uppermost collar 15, and` arranged vupon the end portion of said studnbolt 11, which projects into the lower interior of said easing or shell 12, is a spacing sleeve 16. The parts thus described are secured together' by upper and lower nuts 17 which are threaded upon said stud-bolt 11. Said casing or shell 12 may be provided with an inner lining 18, interme diate which and the main body of the cas-Y ing or shell is disposed a suitable heat resistant material 19, such asA asbestos,` thus increasing the efficiency of the casing or The casing or v shell as a heat insulation means to conserve the heat generated by the electrical heating means in connection with the boiler proper which is enclosed by said casing or shell.

The reference character 2O iudicatesa centrally perforated lower heater plate or support, which is engaged upon or over the upper free end of said stud-bolt 1l; and the reference character 2l. indicates an upper heater plate, which is threaded on the 'free end of said stud-bolt l1. Interposed be tiveensaid upper and lower heater plates are electric heater Wires 22, oi other suitable l'orin ot conductive heater elements.

Said lower heater plate is provided at one side with a. depending supporting i'iange foifmounting the male contact plugs or terminals, comprising a positiveplug or terminal 2 4 and a negative plug or terminal 25, the respective reeendsvof which `project through suitable openings in the casing oi' shell l2 to exteriorly dispose Vthe Asame to receive the operative engagement therewith per heater plate 2l so that the heat generated by the electric heater Wires is transfer-red to the boiler shell 2G. The upper end said boiler shell26 lis closed by'a copper dome plate `28, Vwhich is reenforced and strengthened by an outer superimposed steel domeY plate 29, the registered marginal edges of the boiler shell 26 and said .superimposed dome plates being preferably joined by a. turned over or interlocking seamjbeadY orjoint 30. Y y

Interposed bet-iveenthe external sides of said boiler shell 26 and the internal sides of said casing` or shell 12, and preferably se.'-

cui'ed to the former, is an annular lspacing aange 3l, which also serves to brace the sides of s boiler shell. l sa further means i'or secure f supporting ,bracingsaid boiler shell, While at the saine time drawing its bot in end ti l 1v dervn in finnland close engagement vvi hfthe "upper heating plate 2l, there are provideda plurality of vertical ities .or draw bolts `32 having lioolr sliapedrupper ends 33 which hook over said flange` 31,; While their, lower ends extend .downwardly through the upper heating .plate 2l, said lower ends being threaded to receive nuts .34, which Vare adapted to engage the under marginal `edges'oi thedepending peripherallange 21', and thusirni-ly .interu bind the boiler shell and upper heating plate 21 together. f

The reference characterV 35 indicates a feed Water reservoir which is mounted upon Vand suitably secured tosaid base l0 adjacent to one side of said casing or shell l2. Securely itted into the upper open end of said reservoir 35 is an annular trame or ring 36, provided at its inner .underside With Y a depending annular VIlange 37 spaced con-V centrically relative to the sides of said reservoir. Secured to vthe inner and outer circumferential faces ot'said flange 37 are .concentrically spaced depending. `annular baille members 38 and 39, Secured Within the loiver portion of said reservoir is un upwardly extending annular baliie member e0, the upper free marginal portion of ,which .projects intermediate .the lower free mar ginal portions of said respective baiiie inem.- bers 3S and Secured to the upper open end ot said reservoir 35, by being. bolt-ed or otherwise 'fastened to the frame or ring 36, is a cover or top-plate 41 rvhich'closes vthe upper open end of said reservoir.

vlVater,communication is" established between the interior of the boiler shell `2G and the interior of said Water 1reservoir 35 through a suitable intercommunicating pas,- sage or Wat-er conduit lfil-2, which may .be

formed byl aliued nipples orunion members 43 and 4A- respectively secured to the boiler shell 26 and reservoir outer meeting' ends registered and secured together by any convenient ineens. A Asiniilar .intercoinmunieating pres-Sure compen- Veating passage or conduit 425' is ,provided above the normal Water-line or level of the boiler ,shell ,2 6 .and resem/'oir 35, which .may

also be formed :by kalined nipples or union members 4G and i7 respectively securedto .the boilershell 276 and 4,cover 4or top plate vsrl-l of the reservoir .35, with their @Mier meeting ends 'registeredv and secured together ly any convenient means.

Said cover or top plate il `-is provided with a laterally and ,outwardly projecting extension i8 -iv-hich provides a housing vfor a float actuated vgalve lever mechanism to be subsequently described. Provided :in the centralj portion of said cover or topp-late 41 isa Water intake port 49.. Bolted or otherwise secured ,to s aid cover .or top plate 4l is a Water intake valve housing or leasing `50, the upper endojt ivhich provided with an internally threaded opening 5l for operatively connecting therewith a suitable water supply pipe or conduit (not shown). Fitted into and secured Within said valve housing or easing is a strainer or filter cage 52 otaiiysuitable ioran, adapted Vto l.prevent foreign'substances accompanying the water from entering the reservoir. Secured Ywithin said valve housing .orcasi.,ng`5Q, so as .to be. disposed at the inner side .ot Isaid strainer 35, with their Y iti Which, as the port or outlet 76, is connected by suitable 4union devicesvS with a conduit "I9 tor contluctingthe steam to `the particular appliance to be served by the generator; the otherr port or outlet, as 77, is adapted to discharge steam to the 4atmospl1ere, either directly, or `through a suitable .conduit connected therewith by suitable union devices 81. Rotatably mounted in said valve casing 75 is a valve member 82 adapted to be actuated by a handle device 83connected on its yezdieriorly projected stem 84. Said Vvalve member 82 has an intake port l85 which constantly ,communicates .with the steam outlet passage 73 ,ot the boiler Ashell 20, and `two-Way discharge port comprising a branch SG movable into alinelment with said casing outlet 76 when the'valve member is turned in one direction, and a branch 87 movable Vinto alinement with said ,casing outlet 77 when the valve member is turned in the opposite direction, The handle member may be provided with stops 88 which respectively stop the rotation of the valve member to determine` the respective operative positions thereof. lVhen the valve member is loperated to shut-oft the supply or delivery of steam to `the appliance being erved bythe generator, the steam will be at once discharged through the opposite side ot the valve .to the atmosphere, thus not only permitting a constant pressure ofsteam to be maintained in the boiler casing, and also assuring that, the steam is not shut-o from escaping tromthe boiler at any time, Whether the steam Vis being utilized or not, the latter function vassuring sa'tety the operation of the generator, since prevents the building up or accumulation of undue steam pressure Within the.` generator; In order to `malte assurance ot safety ,doubly sure, there may alsobe provided a safety valve 89, preferably of the poppet type, which tor convenience may be connected With the housing extension 48,. l

'Cc inectcd with sait Water reservoir '35 `is a Water `level indicator, comprising acliam.- bered body 90 having an internal annular shoulder 91 against which is seated a trans-` parent outer Wall 4member .2 of glass, zthe latter being retained against the seatV by'V a threaded keeper ring 93 which screws into thev internally threaded ,open ,end ot said body 90. T ,he Vtransparent Wall member .92 is spaced outwardly Jfrom the backivall ,of the body 90, thus providing a Water chamber 94 behind the transparent Wall member. The body 90 is secured. to-.the reservior. 35 by hollow Vtubular screws 95 and 96, .the lower screw aording communication between the interior of the reservoir below the normal Water level thereof, so that Water mayenter therethrough into the Waterchamber 94, While the upper screw affords communication between the interior ot the `rre,u

servoir above the nor-,mal Water level ,thereof, Aso that internal pressures Within the .Water chamber 94 and reservoir 35 are equalize l. Since the Water level in thereservoir determines the Water level in the boiler ,shell 26, it is, course, the same in yerg-y the iheater wires or other conductive elements 22, so that eliausticn loit ,the Water in the boiler shell is not followed Aby the bnrning out of the boiler shell .and y heating element, or other injury to the generator cansed by continneld -application .ot heat under such circumstances. 1Such an automatic ,cut-,off is provided in a torni adapted to be actuated ,by the doatcontrolled lever mechanism above described. This cut-,ott ianism comprises base-member v97 which is suitably xedtotheexterior side of .Seid housing @XtnS/en 48, .sin Such position that theeigterior end otsaid pivot shaft 59 of the primaries G1 tme een@ eeethrough. Secured tosaid base member 97 is a cylindrical 'casing 98, the outer-end of which are secured a pair stationary contacts 99 and 100 to .the outer ends of which Vare' respectively secured electrical circuit Wires 101 and 102. A ,covershell 103 Vbe sprung over the Eouterend of said r.casing 98 to ,enclose the ,outer ends .of said contacts 99 and 100, said .cover shell having a ,tubular neck through which may extend the cable 104 .which .carries said ,circuit wires 101 and 102. Secured upon the end of the pivot shaft V59, by a `fastening )pin or key 105, is a rotor `block 106 made ot suitable insulation materia-1 and adapted .to be rotated "by the movementsof said ,pivotv shaft 59. Fixed upon Athe `tree end of said rotor block 106, so as to be rotated thereby, is a bridge contact 107 having oppositely extending arcuate .spring arms 108and 1.09 which respectively normally Aengage ,the respective yfixed or stationary contacts v99 and 100. SupV ported in connectionVW-ith .said supporting flange of ithe lower heater plate 420 `is "a suitably insulate, f. riding post .110. `When suitable electric service Wires sare `coupled with the respective positiye andV lfliegative plugs Vor terminals 24 =and 25, land the posi-v conductive elements 22 is .connected V,With

one fsideot said binding post 110 to ,the opposite side or end .of which is Connected `the draait 101, thus .Ceusugthe entrent ato Gil traverse the contact 99, bridge contact 107, Contact 100 to the circuit Wire 102, the outer end of which is connected with the negative plug or terminal 25, thus completing the electric circuit through the heater means and said automatic cut-ofi". So long as the water level is maintained in the reservoir and boiler shell, Within a normal range of fluctuation, the respective arcuate arms 108 and 109 will remain in contactwith the stationary contacts 99 and 100, and the electric circuit Will remain closed through the heating element. If, for any reason the Water supply to the reservoir 35 is interrupted, so that no Water enters through the admission valve when the latter is open, it will follow that the Water consumed in the boiler' shell 26 Will not be replaced, and consequently the Water level in the reservoir Will fall below the minimum of a normal range of fluctuation. lVhen this occurs the float-member will also drop down to such an extent, that the lever mechanism will describe a maximum turning movement, which turning movement is transmitted through the primary lever 61 to the pivot shaft 59 and rotor block 106, and consequently the latter will be turned sufficiently to remove the arcuate arms 108 and 109, thus interrupting the fioW of electric current through the heater circuit, until a normal riso of Water in the reservoir restores the above mechanism to normal circuit closing position again. It Will thus be understood, that the described automatic cut-out affords a safety factor',

and assures the boiler and other parts of the generator apparatus against injury by burning.

It may also be desirable to provide a thermostatic control of the electric heater means, so that the temperature of the latter' does not exceed a desired maximum degree. I have shown in Figure 2 of the drawings the connection in the heater circuit of a suitable electric thermostat, the same being connected between the positive plug or terminal 24 and the positive pole of the electric heater Wires or other conductive elements 22. The form of this thermostat device may be varied, but preferably comprises an adjustable contact 111, electrically connected with said positive plug or terminal 24 in a suitable manner, and an expansive thermostatic contact spring 112, sirtably mounted Within the casing or shell 12, and electrically connected With the postive pole of the heater Wires or conductive elements 22. Under normal temporatures the contact spring 112 engages the adjustable contact 111, and thus maintains the circuit through the vheating means closed. If, however, the temperature of the heating means exceeds a desired maximum, the contact spring 112 will expand sufficiently to interrupt the engagement thereof With the adjustable contact 111, whereupon the 'heater circuit will be broken until vnormal desired temperature `is attained, and the thermostat contacts are again engaged.

From the above description it will be understood, that my present invention provides a novel construction of steam generator, provided with electrical heating means, and with a novel means for automatically controlling and regulating the supply of Water thereto to replace consumption. It will also be vapparent that specifically the electric heater means includes both anemergency electrical cut-out means, operative upon failure of Water supply to the generator, and, if desired, electro-thermostatic means for regulating and controlling the degree of heat desired to be generated by the heater means. The operation and advantages of the novel construction of generator it is believed, Will be understood from the above description, Without necessity for further amplification.

I am aware that some changes may be i ade in the general arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts of my novel electric steam generator apparatus, as Well as in the details of the construction of thel same, Without departing from the scope of my present invention as described in the foregoing specification, and as defined in the appended claims. Hence, I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the de-r kthe uppervend of said reservoir for deliverlng Water into the latter from a source of supply, a free float member Within said reservoir, anda lever mechanism engageable by said free float member and actuated by upwardthrust thereof to close said Water admission valve, said lever mechanism comprising a primary lever having a fixed fulcrum, one end of said primary lever being located in the pat-h of movement of said float member, a secondary lever having an adjustable fulcrum, one end -of said secondary lever operatively engaging saidivater admission valve, and the opposite ends of said primary and secondary levers being pivotally interconnected by a link.

2. In a feed Water reservoir for balanced communication with a steam boiler to be served thereby, a Water admission valve for delivering Water into said reservoir from a source of supply, a iioat in said reservoir, means actuated by said float for automatically controlling the operation of said Water n 

